Taiwan is utilizing its shared Austronesian heritage to gain more influence in Fiji.

There is currently a huge uproar over Taiwan’s dollar diplomacy strategy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was duped out US$30 million while attempting to restore diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea.

I think capitalizing on shared heritage could be much cheaper and more sustainable. Yohani Isqaqavut, the new Ambassador, recounts how while visiting New Zealand, two Maori ministers broke protocol by attending a Taiwanese function. They said they usually wouldn’t attend events held by Taiwan’s diplomatic mission because of pressure from China but they wanted to come that night because there were Taiwanese Aborigines and they felt there was a special tie between us, Yohani said.

You can read the whole story at the Taipei Times.

Related story: Preserving Taiwan’s Austronesian Aboriginal Languages